A’s bench coach Chip Hale has decided to leave for Washington to assume the same role with the Nationals.

The club confirmed a report from Ken Rosenthal that the Bay Area native would be joining the staff of new Nationals manager Dave Martinez.

Hale filled in midway through this past season as bench coach after Mark Kotsay took a leave of absence due to a family emergency. He was slated to coach third base next season after the As hired Ryan Christenson as bench coach.

Hale also filled the role of infield coach that was vacated by Ron Washington last season. He returned to the A’s last season after spending the previous two years as manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.